Can the genetic modification change my hair texture from wavy to straight? And if so when it will be possible?

Expert response from Community Manager

Moderator for GMOAnswers.com

Thursday, 01/04/2018 18:34

There are currently no breeding techniques used to create genetic variations of hair textures. If a person wishes to change their hair texture in any way, they are currently limited to the available hair care products sold for those purposes.

However, new gene editing techniques are continued to be developed for different beneficial purposes and what you are referring to is the possibility of editing genes in humans. Some of the areas to apply gene editing, particularly in humans, are gene therapies specific to cancers, genetic/inheritable disorders, or symptoms that result from genetic flaws. This article addresses some of those types of gene editing.

When people refer to Genetic Modification and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), they are referring to precision plant breeding using genetic engineering. It allows plant breeders to take a desirable trait (like resistance to drought, insects, weeds, and disease) from one plant or organism and transfer it to the plant they want to improve, as well as make a change to an existing trait in a plant they are developing. Genetic Modification and GMOs are currently only created to achieve a desired trait in a plant, such as resistance to an insect or improvement to the ripening process, in order to better meet a customer’s needs.

However, Steve Savage, Consultant, Savage & Associates, explains what the future of GMOs may be like in this response.

There are currently nine GMO crops commercially available today: sweet and field corn, soybeans, cotton, canola, alfalfa, sugar beets, papaya, potato and summer squash. Apples are approved and coming to market soon. These nine are the only GMO crops that are commercially available, but it is also important to note that many of these crops are ingredients in other types of food you may find in your local grocery store.

For a more in-depth explanation of what GMOs are and why they are created, we encourage you to read more about them here. This post answers additional tough questions surrounding GMOs and better explains the reason biotechnology is incorporated into agriculture.

In addition, the GM salmon was recently approved by the FDA and is the first GMO food animal to be approved and commercially available. The salmon was genetically modified for a few reasons including to conserve wild fish populations and provide low impact aquaculture. Read more about this first GMO animal, including why and how it was created here.

If you have any other questions about GMOs or biotechnology, please ask!